Okla. Admin. Code § 35:37-11-31

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 35:37-11-31 - Sanitation requirements of slaughtering and processing operations, condensation and chilling requirements

(a) Operations and procedures involving the preparation, storing, or handling of any product shall be strictly in accord with clean and sanitary methods.

(b) All areas in which inspections are made and those in which exotic livestock are slaughtered or any product is prepared shall be kept sufficiently free of steam and vapors to enable inspection personnel to make inspections and to insure clean operations. The walls, ceilings, and overhead structure of rooms and compartments in which product is prepared, handled, or stored shall be kept reasonably free from moisture to prevent dripping and contamination of products.

(c) Butchers and others who dress or handle diseased carcasses or parts shall, before handling or dressing other carcasses or parts, cleanse their hands with liquid soap and hot water, and rinse them in clean water. Implements used in dressing diseased carcasses shall be thoroughly cleansed with hot water having a minimum temperature of 180°F. or in a disinfectant approved by the Board, followed by rinsing in clean water. The employees of the establishment who handle any product shall keep their hands clean, and in all cases after visiting the toilet rooms or urinals shall wash their hands before handling any product or implements used in the preparation of product.

(d) Aprons, frocks, and other clothing worn by persons who handle any product shall be of material that is readily cleansed. Clean garments shall be worn at the start of each working day and the garments shall be changed during the day when required by the inspector in charge.

(e) Practices as spitting on whetstones; spitting on the floor; placing skewers, tags, or knives in the mouth; inflating lungs or casings with air from the mouth; or testing with air from the mouth such receptacles as tierces, kegs or casks, containing or intended as containers of any product, are prohibited. Only mechanical means may be used for testing. Care shall be taken to prevent the contamination of product with perspiration, hair, cosmetics, medications, and similar substances.

(f) Equipment or substances that generate gases or odors shall not be used in official establishments except as permitted in this Subchapter or by the circuit supervisor in specific cases in which the supervisor determines that the use will not result in adulteration of any product.

(g) Carcasses (including edible offal) will be placed in chill coolers immediately after final washing. The carcasses shall be spaced as to encourage rapid chilling and to avoid the condition known as "Touchers". Should this condition occur, the affected portions will be trimmed before further processing in or removal from the official establishment.

Okla. Admin. Code § 35:37-11-31

Added at 21 Ok Reg 1181, eff 5-27-04